Written questions by Morris.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether he plans to publish an Access to Nature White Paper.

We will make further announcements on plans to develop policy on access to nature in due course.

Communities and Local Government, what recent discussions her Department has had with local authorities on their legal duties under section 208 of the Housing Act 1996.

On 11 November 2024 the Deputy Prime Minister wrote to all local authority Chief Executives in England about out-of-area accommodation placements, including temporary accommodation and housing offers to end a homelessness duty. This letter referred to section 208 of the Housing Act 1996, and reminded local authorities that they are required by law to notify the receiving local authority of any out-of-area placement.

What progress has been made on the Government's Rail freight Growth Strategy.

The Secretary of State has tasked Shadow Great British Railways leaders with producing a delivery plan for both passengers and freight users. The Secretary of State for Transport will place a statutory duty on Great British Railways to promote the use of rail freight. There will also be targets set for growing rail freight.

What progress his Department has made on (a) the Folkestone to Wembley Rail Freight route and (b) adopting the gauge to W12 for cross-channel rail freight.

The Government fully supports the growth of international rail freight through the Channel Tunnel, recognising its economic and environmental potential. Under our plans to deliver the biggest overhaul of the railways in a generation, Great British Railways will have a statutory duty to promote the use of rail freight, with an overall growth target set by the Transport Secretary. Regarding gauge clearance, I am aware of industry proposals to enhance Kent routes to ‘W12’, in order to enable more containerised traffic from Europe. Alongside this, Network Rail has been considering more modest, incremental gauge clearance plans for it as a step towards W12. However, any investment decision will be subject to the usual business case process, working with industry, and will need to clearly demonstrate demand for enhanced infrastructure.

What progress has been made on Network Rail's Traction Decarbonisation Network Strategy.

The Department for Transport took account of Network Rail’s Traction Decarbonisation Network Strategy which was previously used as guidance. However, with developments in the technology available, we are working with Network Rail, the Great British Railways Transition Team and rolling stock manufacturers and leasing companies to bring forward costed options for Government to carefully consider in terms of overall deliverability and affordability before any plan can be developed.

What progress has been made on Great British Railways Decarbonisation plan.

The Department for Transport is working with the rail industry, notably Network Rail, the Great British Railways Transition Team, and rolling stock manufacturers and leasing companies to develop credible long-term plans for decarbonisation; whilst Network Rail and Train Operators continue to deliver their existing commitments. This includes both reducing rail’s direct contribution to carbon emissions and the role rail should play in supporting wider decarbonisation of transport and industry. Once established, GBR will be accountable for delivery of these measures as part of the Secretary of State’s Long Term Rail Strategy.

What information her Department holds on the level of compliance with the Immediate Prohibition Notices issued to (a) SSE Renewables and (b) Petrofac Facilities Management on 6 September 2024 by the Health and Safety Executive for breach of provisions in the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 in relation to the Seagreen offshore wind farm.

Seagreen Wind Energy Limited and Petrofac Facilities Management Limited have both taken appropriate action to comply with the Immediate Prohibition Notices on the provision of trained first aiders and adequate equipment. Both companies have assured the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) that they are also working to remedy the underlying safety management system failings that led to this situation.

Food and Rural Affairs, whether goals to improve (a) access to and (b) engagement with nature are part of the Rapid Review of the current Environmental Improvement Plan; and what plans he has to engage with stakeholders representing public access to the outdoors as part of this process.

On the 30 July the Government announced a rapid review of the Environmental Improvement Plan to revise our plan for significantly improving the environment and enjoyment of it. The Government is committed to enhancing public access to nature, as evidenced by our manifesto commitment to create nine new national river walks and three new national forests. We are currently considering how best to continue to drive forward our goals in this area and will be engaging with stakeholders as we do so.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of Network Rail’s targets to improve railway adhesion in Control Period 7 between 2024 and 2029.

Network Rail (NR) takes track adhesion extremely seriously. Its approach to managing adhesion risk across the system is focused on the tools, processes and skills required to run a safe service through autumn. NR has implemented the GB Rail Industry Approach to Railhead Adhesion Management policy, which sets out all proven and practical control measures for adhesion risk.  This includes infrastructure, train operations and trainborne risk controls. The Office of Rail and Road, as the safety and economic regulator for the railways, ensures that the work undertaken is fit for purpose.

What assessment she has made of the adequacy of Network Rail’s management of railway adhesion in Control Period 6 between 2019 and 2024.

Network Rail (NR) takes track adhesion extremely seriously. Its approach to managing adhesion risk across the system is focused on the tools, processes and skills required to run a safe service through autumn. NR has implemented the GB Rail Industry Approach to Railhead Adhesion Management policy, which sets out all proven and practical control measures for adhesion risk.  This includes infrastructure, train operations and trainborne risk controls. The Office of Rail and Road, as the safety and economic regulator for the railways, ensures that the work undertaken is fit for purpose.

What recent discussions she has had with (a) shipowners, (b) training providers and (c) trade unions on the provision of maritime apprenticeships.

The UK must continue to be at the leading edge of maritime skills and provide a world-class education to benefit both UK economic growth and support a maritime sector fit for the challenges and opportunities ahead. This is why DfT officials are engaging with the Department for Education on the establishment of Skills England. Ministers will be kept updated on this work as it progresses and will hold discussions with industry and Cabinet colleagues as appropriate.

How many seafarer apprentices were in training in 2023-24.

Latest figures for the 2023/24 academic year show that there have been 50 starts on the Level 2 Seafarer (deck rating) apprenticeship standard.

Pursuant to the Answer of 14 October 2024 to Question 6029 on Railways: Passengers, if he will publish those forecasts.

The Department develops and maintains a number of possible rail demand forecasts. These are published when appropriate to evidence policy decisions.

What recent discussions she has had with Cabinet colleagues on the provision of maritime apprenticeships.

The UK must continue to be at the leading edge of maritime skills and provide a world-class education to benefit both UK economic growth and support a maritime sector fit for the challenges and opportunities ahead. This is why DfT officials are engaging with the Department for Education on the establishment of Skills England. Ministers will be kept updated on this work as it progresses and will hold discussions with industry and Cabinet colleagues as appropriate.

How much funding her Department has provided for signalling improvements on the Cambrian line since 2014.

Since 2014 my Department has allocated £3.8 million of UK Government funding for signalling improvements on the Cambrian Line.

Which consular representatives from his Department attended the Innotrans rail trade convention in Berlin between Tuesday 24 and Friday 27 September 2024.

The official delegation from my department which attended InnoTrans in Berlin between 24 and 26 September was led by the Director for Rail International, Integration and Security.

What assessment she has made of the value for money of Network Rail's annual spending with Alexander Mann Solutions.

Network Rail contracts with Alexander Mann Solutions through the Crown Commercial Services Framework, which is subject to value for money due diligence.

How much funding her Department provided to Rail Partners in (a) 2021, (b) 2022 and (c) 2023.

The Department has not provided any funding directly to Rail Partners in 2021, 2022 or 2023.

How much (a) Northern Rail, (b) London North Eastern Railway, (c) TransPennine Express and (d) Southeastern pay annually in membership fees to (i) the Rail Delivery Group and (ii) Rail Partners.

In 2024/25, the annual membership fee paid by each of Northern Trains Limited, London North-Eastern Railway Limited and South Eastern Trains Limited to the Rail Partners is £70,350 (exclusive of VAT). The annual membership fee paid by Transpennine Trains Limited to the Rail Partners is £57,750 (exclusive of VAT). Rail Partners have two distinct functions – Policy and Advocacy, and Operator Services. The operators in question are currently members of the latter, which brings together industry leaders to discuss matters of operations and engineering. These memberships are historic and subject to review. Operators do not pay a membership fee to the Rail Delivery Group but rather pay for services that are delivered on behalf of the operators, such as National Rail Enquiries.

What recent discussions officials in her Department have had with the owners of Purfleet port on (a) enforcement of and (b) compliance with the Seafarers Wages Act 2024.

Feedback from industry has been crucial throughout the legislative process and officials have engaged extensively with ports and ferry operators on the regulations and supporting guidance, which set out the responsibilities of the ports and operators under the Act. Officials more recently engaged with the owners of Purfleet Port in workshops during the public consultation period which ran from February to March this year. Officials have also invited them to further engage in upcoming information sessions on the requirements and the application of the legislation in November.